Chapter 16 - Family ReconciliationA month after the arrests, the federal trial began.
Julian faced twenty-five years in a federal penitentiary without the possibility of parole. Refusing to take responsibility, he glared hatred across the courtroom at Christian during the final sentencing hearing.
Eleanor Sterling sat in the gallery, broken and aged beyond her years, weeping silently into a lace handkerchief.
After the gavel banged and Julian was led away in chains, Christian walked back to the Sterling estate to check on his mother.
He found her sitting alone in the dark drawing-room, surrounded by old photo albums.
Christian stepped inside, setting a fresh cup of tea on the table beside her. "Mother."
Eleanor looked up, her eyes red-rimmed and filled with profound sorrow. "I failed both of my sons, Christian. I gave Julian everything he wanted, and it turned him into a monster. And I threw you away when you needed me most."
"You can't rewrite the past, Eleanor," Christian said gently, using her first name without malice. "But you can choose how you spend the time you have left. The foundation is hiring you as director of our community outreach program. Put your influence to good use."
May you like
Eleanor stared at him, stunned. "You... you're giving me a purpose?"
"I'm giving you a chance to heal," Christian replied quietly.
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